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Sunderland keen to sign Rose on permanent deal

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has revealed that he would like to make Danny Rose's loan stay from Tottenham into a permanent arrangement.

The 22-year-old was brought in from White Hart Lane on a season-long deal in an attempt to fill the void left by Kieran Richardson, who left the Black Cats for Fulham during the summer.

The England Under-21 international has impressed during his 12 league appearances in O'Neill's side this year, and both parties are interested in making the deal permanent.

"There is that possibility," the 60-year-old told reporters when asked whether the defender could stay beyond his current deal.

"He wants to remain at the football club and that is encouraging.

"If he went back to Tottenham, particularly with (Benoit) Assou-Ekotto getting fit again, the chances are he wouldn't play that often, so it's certainly worth a look at anyway.

"He would love to stay here. He's got on terrifically well with everyone. The players have taken to him, everybody has taken to him. Most importantly, the crowd have taken to him and rightly so because he has been absolutely outstanding.

"I always felt he had that potential, but he's playing remarkably well. He's been really excellent for us and he's improving as well.

"I don't really want to shout it out because we want to try to keep him at the football club, but Danny has been splendid ever since he arrived."

Rose started as a left winger before then Spurs manager Harry Redknapp trialled him in defence, but O'Neill believes he could have a future in the heart of midfield.

"As his fitness improves moving forward, you feel as though he is very capable of playing in that (midfield) position.

"We wanted to try him there beforehand, but he's been so decent at left-back that I didn't want to change him until he gets the requisite amount of fitness that you probably need to play in midfield. But he was excellent when he moved there."